Villagers’ health fears over wood recycling plan
Proposal would see 150,000 tonnes of waste wood shredded per year on the site in South Cornelly
RESIDENTS of a village have raised health fears over plans for a proposed waste wood recycling facility.
The proposal, by South Wales Wood Recycling (SWWR), would see 150,000 tonnes of waste wood per year shredded on the 26,000 sq m site off Heol y Splot in South Cornelly, near Porthcawl. Some wood chip would also be stockpiled.
In addition, there would be up to 70 deliveries of waste wood from commercial and industrial sources per day and vehicles, including excavators, operating on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The applicants said they work with regulators and experts “to ensure existing and new developments are operated and managed in a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible manner”.
With the applicants’ own consultants warning that concentrations of wood dust, known as TSPs (total suspended particulates), “have the potential to be extremely significant” in what they have termed “sensitive receptor sites” during dry and windy weather, residents claim the site – which lies near their houses and a care home – poses a risk to their health.
The report by consultants Hydrock states that wood dust is classified as a group one carcinogen to humans by the World Health Organisation.
“We feel like a village under siege,” said resident Brian Davies, who was among those who attended a meeting at the Green Acres Motel last Friday.
While mum Paula Williams criticised the report for describing the area as “industrial”.
“But there are 7,000 residents and three schools here,” she said.
“We will also have acute exposure to noise levels so it’s a direct threat to our health.”
Residents also fear that dangerous PM2.5 particles would be generated by the movement of diesel vehicles on and around the site.
Hydrock’s report states: “Inhalation of particulate pollution can have adverse health impacts.
“There is understood to be no safe threshold below which no adverse effects would be anticipated.
“The biggest impact of particulate air pollution on public health is understood to be from longterm exposure to PM2.5, which increases the agespecific mortality risk, particularly from cardiovascular causes.
“Exposure to high concentrations of PM can also exacerbate lung and heart conditions, significantly affecting quality of life, and increase deaths and hospital admissions.”
However, Hydrock said with the prevailing wind blowing away from the most “sensitive receptors” and mitigation measures, including the potential use of dust suppressants being taken on site, dust levels could be kept within an “acceptable range”.
The consultants also believe road traffic emissions “should not have a significant increase”.
But David Hughes, of Old Church Close, the nearest road to the proposed site, claimed the report ‘does not reflect the impact it will have on our community.’
Residents also voiced their concerns over what they believe was inadequate notification about the planning application and the potential fire risk posed by the stockpiles of wood chip.
While Mair Tranter said given previous complaints about its operation in Heol y Cyw, the council should not even consider the application.
Welsh Regional AM Suzy Davies has also objected. She said: “The fullest scrutiny must be made of any application they make.”
Solicitors acting on behalf of SWWR have issued a statement following the residents’ meeting.
It states that SWWR works closely with strategic partners, regulators and experts, including the fire service, “to ensure that existing and new developments are operated and managed in a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible manner”.
It also stated that the proposed South Cornelly plant would create an ad- ditional 35 jobs in the area and will secure 100 plus jobs regionally.
The statement also said “the construction and operation of the development would have a “negligible impact on the local highway”, with access to the site via the bypass and not the village.
It added SWWR was working closely with the authorities to ensure “all necessary and appropriate measures are undertaken to manage the operation effectively and in an environmentally safe manner”.
A Bridgend council spokesman said: “In line with current regulations, we directly notified the nearest properties, and placed a notice close to the site as well as in the local media.
“However, in order to ensure that nearby residents are given every opportunity to comment on the proposal, we have decided that additional consultation will be carried out with those people living close to the site.
“As the local planning authority, we have a duty to consider any planning application that is submitted, and this application will be determined on its own merits, taking into account all material considerations.
“In terms of potential air pollution as a result of the application, we have sought the expert advice of our public protection officers and Natural Resources Wales, and their observations will be taken into consideration before a decision is made.
“In the event that planning permission is granted, a licence would be required under separate environmental legislation.”
The proposal, by South Wales Wood Recycling, would see 150,000 tonnes of waste wood shredded on the 26,000 sq m site every year...